Unknown Artist

Stem bowl with two dragons

Other titles:

Stem cup

Location

Not on display

Further information

The interior of the bowl is engraved in the white body beneath a clear glaze with dragons pursuing pearls in the clouds. On the exterior, two five-clawed dragons are engraved and enamelled in emerald green on a yellow background, pursuing flaming pearls among swollen clouds. A border of lotus panels marks the base of bowl, while a classic scroll border decorates the foot of the stem. The motif of dragons chasing pearls appeared in Chinese decorative art after the Tang and Song dynasties, as a result of Buddhist influences. In Buddhism, the dragon king uses this wish-granting pearl (cintamani) as his jewellery.